Work permits for students

I’m an international student in Canada. Can I work while studying?

You may be eligible to work in Canada while studying, if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus. You must also meet all the other requirements. You can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin.

Work on or off campus

As a study permit holder, you may be able to work on-campus or off-campus without getting a work permit. Make sure you meet the requirements before you find a job.

Work as a co-op student or intern

You will need to get a work permit if your study program includes a required co-op or internship placement. Find out how to apply for a co-op work permit.

Work after you graduate

You may also be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to continue working in Canada after you graduate. Find out if you’re eligible for a PGWP.

As an international student, can I work in Canada without a work permit?

Yes.

If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an eligible institution:

• you may work on-campus without a work permit.

If you have a study permit and are enrolled full-time in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution:

• you may work off campus without a work permit.

If you receive your study permit after June 1:

• your study permit will indicate if you are able to work off campus. If so, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week while:
• your program is in session, and
• full-time during scheduled breaks in the academic calendar.

You may work for any employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list.

You must have the appropriate work permit in order to take part in a co-op or internship program. You also must apply for a post-graduation work permit in order to work in Canada after your studies. For more details, see Work Permits for Students.

I’m an international student. Can I work before my study program starts?

No. If you’re eligible to work on or off campus while studying in Canada, you can only start working once your study program starts.

Make sure you meet all the requirements for working on campus or off campus, before you start working. If you want to work before you start your studies, you must apply for a work permit.

I’m an international student. Can I continue to work after I’ve finished my study program?

Generally, no. You must stop working once you’ve received your final grades.

You can continue to work after you finished your studies only if:

• you’ve already applied for a work permit, or
• you’re starting a new study program

Find out if you meet one of these exceptions.

Can I have a work permit and study permit at the same time?

Yes. You can apply for an additional permit. However, you must

• be eligible for both permits
• show the officer that you can study and work at the same time

When you apply, include a letter to explain how you’ll do this. Give details about how you’ll balance your work schedule with your studies. If you apply online, upload this letter in the Client information part of your document checklist.

Workers who can study without a study permit

You may be eligible to study without a study permit if you are in either of the following situations:

1. You have a valid work permit that was issued on or before June 7, 2023.
2. You must have been issued a letter on or before June 7, 2023, authorizing you to work while we process your work permit application.
   1. You can use this letter if you’re waiting for a decision on your work permit extension.

Find out if you’re eligible.

Eligibility for other programs

There are some things to know about holding 2 permits:

• The work experience you gain while you hold a study permit doesn’t count toward the work experience requirements for most permanent residence programs.
  • Check the requirements for your program before you apply for permanent residence.
• If you plan to apply for a post-graduation work permit when you complete your studies, you’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria.
  • For example, you must maintain full-time status during all semesters of your study program, even while working.

See who can apply for a work permit and who can apply for a study permit.

As an international student, can I take part in co-op and internship programs?

If you are in an academic, professional or vocational training program at a designated learning institution that requires work experience, such as a co-op or internship placement, you will need a work permit as well as a study permit.

To get a work permit, you must prove that the work experience is essential to completing your program. Acceptable proof could include a letter from the school you are attending or a copy of the school curriculum.

The work experience cannot be more than 50% of your total program of study.

If you are studying English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or participating in general interest or preparatory courses, you are not eligible for a co-op work permit.

For more information, see Work permits for students - Co-op and internship programs.

There’s a specific employment location on my co-op or post-graduation work permit. Can I work somewhere else?

It depends on where the employment location information is on your work permit.

If the location is under Additional Information

You can work in any location across Canada. You don’t need to apply to change your work permit. If you have a co-op work permit, your work must be required to complete your study program.

If the location is under Conditions or Remarks/Observations

You must work at the location on your permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work in a different location. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit from within Canada. Select “Inside Canada” to find out how you can apply for your new permit. Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit with your application.

There’s a specific occupation on my co-op or post-graduation work permit. Can I work in a different field?

It depends on where the occupation information is on your work permit.

If the occupation is under Additional Information

You can work in any field. You don’t need to apply to change your work permit. If you have a co-op work permit, your work must be required to complete your study program.

If the occupation is under Conditions or Remarks/Observations

You must work in the field listed on your permit. You must apply to change the conditions of your work permit if you want to work in a different occupation. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit from within Canada. Select “Inside Canada” to find out how you can apply for your new permit. Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit with your application.

My co-op work permit says “not authorized to work for any employer other than stated”. What does it mean?

As a co-op student, your co-op work permit might say:

• you’re “not authorized to work for any employer other than stated”
• your school is your employer

This is to identify you as a co-op student. It means you can work for any employer that’s accepted by your school’s co-op program.

If your employer doesn’t understand this condition

If the condition on your work permit is causing problems for you with your employer, you may apply to remove the condition.

To do this, you must apply for a new work permit.

Include a letter explaining why you need the condition removed from your work permit (that is, it’s causing problems with your employer) with your application.

There is no fee for this.

If you change schools

If you change schools and stay in a co-op program, you must apply for a new work permit. This means your new co-op work permit will say your new school is your employer.

You won’t need to pay another application fee to change your co-op work permit conditions or for the new co-op work permit.

Can I continue to work during scheduled school breaks?

Generally, yes. Your study permit must still be valid and you must still meet all the requirements.

If you work off campus

You can work full-time during scheduled breaks, like over summer holidays and during spring break. You must meet all the requirements for working off campus before you start working. Once your school year restarts, you can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week.

If you work on-campus

You can work full-time during scheduled breaks, like over summer holidays and during spring break. You must meet all the requirements for working on-campus before you start working.

Can I work in any type of job if I am eligible to work off campus?

Yes. You may work for any employer in Canada who is not on the ineligible employer list, as long as you continue to comply with the requirements of the off-campus work authorization. You must also get an immigration medical exam if you plan to work in certain occupations.

Can I work as many hours as I want if I’m eligible to work off campus?

No. If you’re eligible to work off campus, you can work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During scheduled breaks, like the summer or winter holidays and spring break, you’re allowed to work more than 20 hours.

You can start working in Canada only once you’ve started your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin. Find out more about who can work off campus, including part-time students and students on authorized leave.

If you’ve completed your study program, you may be able to work full-time.

What is a post-graduation work permit?

The post-graduation work permit allows students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

Note: Work obtained through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program may help support your application to become a permanent resident of Canada.

How do I apply for a post-graduation work permit?

How you can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) depends on where you’re applying from. Most people must apply online for their PGWP. Find out how you can apply for your PGWP.

Make sure you’re eligible for a PGWP before you apply. You have 180 days after your school issues your final marks to apply for a PGWP.

When you apply, make sure you pay the Open work permit holder fee and the standard work permit fee.

If your study permit has expired

You must

• submit your PGWP application within 90 days of losing your status and pay both fees (open work permit fee and standard work permit fee)
  • Restoring your status as a student has a fee of $350. Due to system limitations, applicants must pay the fees to restore their status as a student online and attach a copy of the receipt to their PGWP online application. You do not need to make a separate application to restore your status as a student.
• keep meeting the requirements for your stay
• meet all the remaining conditions listed on your permit

How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?

A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may be valid anywhere between 8 months and up to 3 years. Unless you’ve graduated from a master’s degree program, the length of your permit will depend on the length of the study program you completed in Canada. Find out more about how long a PGWP can be valid.

How much does a post-graduation work permit cost?

The fee for a post-graduation work permit is CDN$155; however, you must also pay the CDN$100.00 “Open Work Permit Holder” fee. Find out more about the required fees.

Can I apply for a job before I get my post-graduation work permit?

Yes, but only if you:

• were a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program,
• already completed your program of study, and
• didn't exceed the number of hours you could work on and off-campus.

If we refuse your post-graduation work permit, you must stop working immediately.

Can I work anywhere, in any type of job, under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program?

The post-graduation work permit is an open work permit. This means that you can work in any occupation anywhere in Canada, and change employers any time you wish.

Note: You may not work for an employer on the ineligible employers list.

How do I qualify for a post-graduation work permit?

To qualify for a post-graduation work permit, you must have graduated from a public institution or a recognized degree program at a private institution. These institutions may include a university, college or a Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel (an educational institution in Quebec that offers pre-university classes and technical career programs).

Can I apply for a post-graduation work permit before I get my diploma?

You don’t have to wait until you physically receive your diploma or attend your graduation ceremony to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

All you need to apply for a PGWP is

• an official letter from your school that confirms you’ve completed your study program or
• an official transcript or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website

You have 180 days after your school issues your final marks to apply for a post-graduation work permit. To be eligible for a PGWP, your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days.

If your study permit expires, you must either:

• restore your status as a student when you apply for a PGWP, or
• leave Canada and apply for a PGWP from outside Canada

Can I work while I am waiting to receive my post-graduation work permit?

You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application if, at the time you submitted your application, all of the following applied to your situation:

• You had a valid study permit.
• You had completed your program of study.
• You were eligible to work off campus without a permit.
• You did not work off campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.

If you received the WP-EXT for PGWP (IMM 0127 E) letter

You’re authorized to work until a decision is made on your work permit application even if the 180-day validity date has expired. If you need proof of authorization to continue working, you can ask for it by using our web form.

Find out more about work authorization after submitting a post-graduation work permit application.

I’m waiting for my post-graduation work permit. Can I travel outside Canada and come back with my student visa?

You can leave Canada and return, as long as your visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is still valid. Your permit (study or work) is not a visa and doesn't allow you to travel back to Canada.

If your visa or eTA is expired, you have to get a new one before you return to Canada.

When you return to Canada:

• You may enter as a student if your study permit is still valid.
• If we approve your post-graduation work permit while you’re away, you may enter as a worker.
• If we’re still processing your post-graduation work permit, you may enter as a visitor, and you can work without a work permit until we make a decision on your application.

A border officer will have some questions for you when you arrive back in Canada. The officer may ask you for proof that you applied for a post-graduation work permit, such as a copy of your application or the fee payment receipt.

If the officer believes there is reason to refuse your re-entry, you won’t be able to enter Canada.

How can I show a potential employer I’m allowed to work while I wait for my post-graduation work permit?

You can show a potential employer you’re allowed to work by giving them a copy of all of the following documents:

• proof that you completed your program(s) of study, such as
  • the official letter from your school that confirms you’ve completed your study program or
  • an official transcript or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website
• a copy of your study permit
  • To be allowed to work right away, your permit should say: “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w); must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria”
• a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt from your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application, if you applied online
  • To be allowed to work right away, the acknowledgement of receipt must have been received before your study permit expired
• a copy of your WP-EXT for PGWP (IMM 0127 E) letter (if you received one) to prove you’re authorized to keep working, even if the 120-day validity period has expired
  • If you need proof of authorization to continue working, you can ask for it by using our web form.

You can use these documents to work only until a decision is made on your application.

If your application for a PGWP is rejected or refused, you need to stop working as soon as we notify you.

If you don’t, any future work or study permits may not be approved, and you may be asked to leave the country.

Check current processing times for PGWPs.